Ralph Lauren may walk the India Ramp with Aditya Birla Fashion

The first store for the New York-based fashion giant, which was founded 50 years ago, is likely to open in the Emporio at Chanakyapuri in New Delhi’s diplomatic enclave, according to one of the three people aware of the development.Sambhavi Anand | ET Bureau | Updated: March 20, 2017, 10:10 IST

NEW DELHI: Premium US lifestyle products company Ralph Lauren is in an advanced stage of negotiations with Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail for an Indian debut through the franchisee route, providing further evidence of the South Asian nation’s rising affordability quotient for luxury.

The first store for the New York-based fashion giant, which was founded 50 years ago, is likely to open in the Emporio at Chanakyapuri in New Delhi’s diplomatic enclave, according to one of the three people aware of the development. The property earmarked to be Ralph Lauren’s beachhead in India is owned by realty major DLF.

“The Aditya Birla Group is in an advance stage of discussions with Ralph Lauren, and the store should be up in the next 7-8 months,” said a second person aware of the talks. Ralph Lauren designs, markets, and distributes apparel, accessories, fragrances, and home furnishings.

The company’s products are sold under a wide range of brands, and its operations include retails, product licenses, and wholesale supplies. According to a 2016 report by industry body ASSOCHAM, luxury goods market in this nation of 1.2 billion people will likely expand 25% year-on-year. An email sent to Ralph Lauren’s global base in New York remained unanswered until the publication of this report. An Aditya Birla Fashion Retail spokesperson declined to comment saying, “We do not comment on on market rumours”. An email sent to Emporio Mall also remained unanswered.